Switzerland has put Cargo Sous Terrain, an ambitious scheme to move freight through underground tunnels, on ice, reported SRF. The federal government, several cantons and the city of Zurich have suspended work on the project, citing unmet requirements. The idea was bold. A privately financed network of subterranean tunnels, backed by blue-chip firms including Coop, […]
Swiss National Bank pauses interest rate cuts
After six consecutive cuts, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has left its key rate unchanged at 0%. It also reaffirmed its willingness to intervene in foreign-exchange markets if needed. Inflationary pressures, it noted, remain broadly stable. The bank will keep a close eye on the data and adjust policy as required to safeguard price stability. […]
Switzerland’s cow parade (désalpe/alpabzug) 2025 and its history
By Bill Harby What exactly is the alpine descent or désalpe / alpabzug? This article explores the event’s history and where to see it. In Switzerland, we know the clock will soon strike autumn when processions of cows crowned with flowers and hung with huge clanging bells, descend from summer alpine pastures to their winter […]
Swiss student unsettles operators with map plotting mobile antenna
Comparing mobile networks was made easier this week. Swiss student Leutrim Shallti has built a website —carteantennesuisse.ch—that pinpoints every 3G, 4G and 5G antenna in the country. Consumers can now check whether operators’ marketing boasts match reality. Shallti is no telecom engineer— he is a psychology student who studies electronics for three years prior. Yet […]
Five Swiss cities urge Bern to act on Gaza
Five Swiss cities have called on the federal government to do more over Gaza. In a joint statement on 19 September 2025, ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly session, they appealed to the Federal Council’s conscience and engagement in upholding international law, to which it is a signatory. The mayors of Biel, Geneva, Lausanne, […]
Switzerland unable to defend itself against all threats, according to defence minister
Switzerland’s army cannot defend the country against every conceivable threat, admits Martin Pfister, the defence minister. Visiting Geneva on 18 September 2025 for anniversaries at three Swiss-backed security institutes, he told RTS television that the military remained a work in progress: The army is capable of defending Switzerland, but not against all threats one can […]
Vote to axe imputed rent looking less likely to succeed, based on latest poll
Support for scrapping Switzerland’s imputed rent, a fictional rent added to home owners’ taxable income, looks to be fading, reported SRF. A poll by GFS Bern for the public broadcaster SRG suggests that, had the vote been held in early September, 51% of respondents would have backed abolition. That is down sharply from earlier surveys, […]
A lesson in national cohesion – federal government considers forcing Swiss cantons to teach French
Switzerland’s government is considering forcing cantons to keep teaching a second national language in primary schools. The Federal Council said on September 19th that it would draft a law to that effect, though the rule would bite only if the 2004 compromise on language teaching were abandoned. Some German-speaking cantons have moved French from the […]
Swiss largesse endures in 2024
The Swiss gave generously again in 2024. Citizens donated CHF 2.25 billion, according to Zewo, a foundation that monitors charities. Contributions have now topped the CHF 2 billion mark for five years running—twice the level of two decades ago. Giving habits are shifting. Donations made by post or bank transfer averaged CHF 198 each, compared […]
Swiss government sets out ambitious spending cuts
Switzerland’s federal government must save CHF 2.4 billion in 2027 and CHF 3 billion in both 2028 and 2029. On Friday the Federal Council sent its austerity plan to parliament, reported RTS. The Council of States will debate it in the winter session; the National Council will follow in the spring. The country’s public finances […]
